Theresa May must take her fight against injustice across the world

SIR – We strongly welcome the Prime Minister’s pledge to fight injustice while taking a bold new positive role on the world stage. These priorities are more important than ever as the UK negotiates to leave the EU. The referendum threw into sharp relief the social costs of globalisation, and the need to shape an inclusive, open society where everyone shares the benefits of global collaboration.

That is why the Sustainable Development Goals – agreed last September with strong UK support – explicitly call for no one to be left behind, in any country. Fighting injustice at home is inseparably linked to fighting injustice globally.

An open, outward-looking Britain can take leadership on global efforts to protect the world’s most vulnerable – be it from enslavement, extreme poverty, corruption or violence.

The Prime Minister has called for Britain to be a country that works for everyone. Britain can also shape a world that works for everyone. A new government should take steps as soon as possible to demonstrate that we remain committed to this goal. Andrew Mitchell MP Former International Development Secretary (Con) Clare Short Former International Development Secretary (Lab) Owen Barder Vice President and Director for Europe, Center for Global Development Melissa Leach Director, Institute of Development Studies Kevin Watkins Chief Executive, Overseas Development Institute

SIR – Much is being made of Theresa May’s negotiating skills, but if these are evidenced by her cuts to the police and Border Force budgets, then perhaps we would have been better off with a different prime minister. Pat Bryant Devizes, Wiltshire

SIR – The Prime Minister’s repetition of “precious” while speaking of our United Kingdom gave the word a frisson which I found deeply moving.

This ancient and most successful union of nations is in safe hands. Louis Robb Edinburgh

SIR – I will be interested to observe how many demoted Cabinet ministers continue to serve on the back benches.

At times like these we see who really entered politics with a burning desire to represent their constituents and use the political arena for social good. Lisette Haxby Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

SIR – David Cameron’s legacy should not just be about Brexit.

We should not forget his achievement in May 2010. The pundits said he would never be able to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats – and, even if he did, that it would not last. He proved them wrong. Anthony Haslam Farnham, Surrey